Dispenser



y 7, 1935. c. BARBIERI 2,000,008

DISPENSER Filed June 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 7 1935. c. BARBIERI2,000,008

' DISPENSER Filed June 5, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I VEEIUE Qesa/QBq/zemPatented May 7, 1935 My invention relates to dispensing devices adaptedparticularly for dispensing flat bottom PAT NT OF'Fi-CE DISPENSER rCesare Bazfbier-L, New York, N. Y.,. assignor t0= Vortex. Cup Company,Chicago, lll., a corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1 93sset-mm. 674,353

13Claims. (Cl. 3l2 44 imsto-conicai and flanged paper drinking cups oneby one from a stack of internested cups. I

separation and freeing of the lowermost cup from the-bottom of the stackas soon as the escapement members have been withdrawn from belowtheflange of the lowermost cup. I

A- further object is to provide escapement members operable, while otherescapement mem-- bers are being withdrawn from the lowermost cupgtoproject below thefi'angeof the next lowermost cup to: assume support ofthe stack above the-lowermost cup and to then exert wedging' androtational eiTorts against the lowermost cupto: positivelyseparate-"such cup from the bottom of the stack after it has beenreleased from "the escapement members.

Another object is to provide subsequentlyoperable escapement membershaving wedged ends of arcuate extent and adapted to be moved along theupper edge of the lowermost-cup-to wedgeit away from the next cup and toexert frictionaldrag on the cup tending to -cause rotation thereof foreasier separation thereof from the next cup sothat after release of thelowermost cup from initial escapement members itwill beentirely treefrom the next cup so that it may drop fron rthe dispensing tube withoutdelay.

My invention alsoinvolves other features of construction, arrangementand operation, all of the features of the invention being incorporatedin the structure disclosed on the accompanyin showing the dispensingmechanism normal stack supporting position; i D Figure 5 is a viewsimilar to Figure 4 showingescapement members in'cup dischargingposition;

the entire figure having been rotatedyclock-wise k to align the majorportion of the mechanism with Figure 4 for the purpose of clarity;

Figure 6 is a section on plane VI-VI of Figlire-2;

Figure 7 is a Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a section on plane VHF-NIH of Figure l p Figure '9 is anenlarged section on plane EX-IX of Figure 4; g I

Figure- F0 is an enlarged section on plane of Figure 4;"an'd g Figure llis an enlarged section on planeXt-XE of Figures); 1 I

The dispenser body comprises a tubular cylin drioal-metal trame I havingsecured thereto in termediate'its ends an annular flange or ring 2.Spaced a distance below this upper ring 2 is a Similar ring 3-surrounding the body I and beingrotatable thereon, it being providedwith a laterally extending arm 4 terminating in a vertical finger plate5. by means of which the'ring may be readily rotated, The ringi may bestrengthened and supported by abearing' hub "6; belowthe ring andsurrounding and bearing on the body 7 member II. The hubi's verticallysupported by a bearing collar 1 secured to the member i; collar'may bedetachably secured as by means of screws: 8;

Between the two rings the body lhas the diametr'ally Oppositecircumferentially extending slotsoropen spaces 8 and I 0throughwhichtwosets of escapementmembersmay project forcon troli'ot thepassage or cups through the body I. These escapement'membersaresupported on the rotatable-lower ring 3 ,--and' I have showntwodiametrally opposite escapementmembers E and E and two otherdiametrally opposite escapement'members'li) and D. Thecontroliingmembars are hinged or pivoted on the ring I; and are providedwith 'carnslots into which p'insextend from the stationary upp'erring 2so that upon rotation of the ring 3 the controllingmembers will: beoperated. V v j Describing first-the construction and operation ofthe'escapement members E and E", each member is, sis-shown v the form ofa: flat 'arcuate plate H resting an the ring 3 and having at its endsthe upwardly'extending spacing and guide lugs I 2 and: i2" engaging attheir upper ends against the ring 2; Each plate H has the body part aand the tail end b; the taii end receiving a pivot pin l3 extendingupwardly from the ring 3, these pivot pins 13 being adjacent to thesolid sections of the body" l between the open spaces 9 and I l thereinwhile-the bodies aof the platesare at suchopen spaces for proj-ectiontherethrough. "The inner edges of the; plate bodies-o engaging below theflanges 'of the cups to be I v v v are bevelled downwardlytoprovideledgesd for section on plane VII-Flint.

dispensed The cups I 4 are shown of f-rusto- 55v the upper ring 2 sothat these members will be The tail end I6 of the plate 56 is pivoted bya pin I!) to one. end

guided between the rings.

of a link 20 which at its other end is pivoted to a pin 2| extendingupwardly from the ring 3; The

pins 21 are adjacent to the pins l3 which pivot the escapement members Eand E, the links being above the tail ends of theescapement meme bers Eand E and below the tail ends of the escapement members D and D asclearly shownnFieur se, 5 a .7, 7

As shown, the escapement members E and E extend circumferentially fromtheir pivot points and along the ring 3 in clockwise direction while theesscapement membersDvand -D' extend in counter-clockwise direction.

As .best shown in Figure 8,;the. inner flange 18 on each of the plates16 is cut away and formed to provide a wedge surface 212 with the pointof the wedge at the outer end of the plate, the Wedge flange beingtransversely bevelled on its inner side as indicated in Figure 9. Thesewedge flanges I are adapted for projection :through the open spaces 9and lu in the body-I for cooperation with the cups;

The plate H of each-of thelescapement meme bers E and E has anouterlongitudinally extend-' members Dand D has two slots, each comprise inga longitudinally extending section Z6 and anouter diagonally extendingsection 27- extending therefrom. Depending from the upper ring 2 i arethepins 28 and 28' for engaging in-the slots ment member D while a pairof pins 29' extends from the ring for engagement in therespective slotsof the escapement member D Inthe normal positions of the parts, asshownv in Figure 4;, the pins 28 and 28 are at the inner ends of theslot sections 23 andthe pins 29v and 29' are at the outer ends of theslot sections 21.

The escapement members D and D. arein posi-. tions in which their wedgeends are withdrawn, from the interior of the tube I but, the escape-'ment members E and E are imposition to project their supporting ledges;C into-thetube l for engagement below the flange of the lower-, most cupof the stack of cups supported in thecontaining member I. A spring 30extending between a pin 3| on the collar 1 and a pin 32" longitudinallyextending slots 23 of the escapement members E and E, pass along'thepins 28 and there will be no radial-movementof these During the fore.-

escapement members. Also during the forepart of the rotational movementof the ring, the diagonal slot sections 21 in the escapement members Dand D pass along the pins 29 and 29 respectively so that theseescapement members will be swung to project the points of the wedgeflanges l8 into position between the flanges of the lowermost cup andthe next cup. This primary movement of the escapement members Dand D isa combined longitudinal and radial movement so that the wedge flangesare brought a sufiicient distance between the cup flanges for thedelivery members to engage below the flange of the next lowermost cupfor support of the stack above the lowermost cup.

During the final rotational movement of the ring 3 the diagonal slotsections 25 of the escapement members E and E engage along the pins 28and these escapement members are moved outwardly to Withdraw theirsupporting ledges C from underneath the lowermost cup so as to freethiscup from the escapement members. the final rotational movement ofthe ring 2 the longitudinal slot sections 26 of the escapement members Dand, D pass along the pins 29 and 29 and the wedge surfaces are movedcircumferentially along the top of the flange of the lowermost cup andduring such circumferential movement these escapement members are movedradially inwardly, this radial inward movement taking place because thelongitudinally extending slot sections 26 are also slightly diagonal asclearly shown in Figure 4.

As the circumferentially extending wedge surface'is also of bevelled orwedge-shaped transversely, the wedge flanges will wedge incircumferentially and radially between the flanges of thetwolowermostcups and the lowermost cupv will be positively forced away andentirely freed from the next cup. As cups in a stack are intie matelyinternested they may tend to stick-to eacn other, this beingparticularly true when the cups are of parafline or otherwise treatedpaper. However, my improved escapement means will posi-- tively loosenand detach the lowermost cup from the bottom of the stack should the cupfail to fall down by gravity after the initially acting escapementmembers E and E have been. withdrawn from the cupflange. Thecircumferential movementof the wedge surface against the top of thelowermost cup will also cause a frictional drag on the cup flangetending to rotate the cup and such rotational movement in conjunctionwith the axial movement of the cup by the wedge mechanism will assist inquickly separating the cup for discharge'from the stack.

After the discharge of the cup, the ring 3 released for return thereofto normal position by the spring 30, and'during such return movement ofthe ring, the escapement members D and D will be withdrawn from theflange of the bottom cup of the stack while the escapement members E andE are being brought back into position to take up the support of thestack.

The links 20 which connect the escapement members D and D with the pivotpins 2i will' permit these members to move freely circumferentially andradially under guidance of thepins 29 and 29.

In order to keep the lowermost cup aligned within the tube I,particularly while the wedge mechanism is coming into engagement withthe flanged edge of the cup, the wall of the member I v is extendeddownwardly into the spaces Sand [0 where the ledges c of the escapementmem-l During.

bers. E and E! are-projected: through: the spaces, as indicatedat 36:inFigure: Ihisarrangement willincreasesthe aliuttingzsurface of the cupflange with, the: tube Ir to hold: the cup; against: distortion while:the: wedge mechanismr is oper atingi. a

An enclosure shell: 3 may be? provided? for; ens,- closing theoperating: structure, and; this shell; will? be provided" Witha. slot.38 through-:7 which: the." arm 4-. of". thering' 3-, extends, sothat,the finger: plateS-will be: at theoutside'ofithe; shell forcon trollingthe rotation of the ring 3. ferrule or: base 39' may" be. provided abovethe enclosure 3? fortmounting: of: the stack containerzor-closure 4-9:.whichvmay be'of, glass.

I have shown and: described a practical and effi'cient embodimentotthevarious: features. of: my'invention', but. I do not desire to belimited to! the exact constructioni. arrangement andopreration shown anddescribed: as changes and; modifications may be made without departingfrom; the scope-and. spiritiofs the invention."

liclaiminventions V 1=.,In a; dispenser: for flangedi cups, a frameforming a; vertical: passageway for delivery of. cups from. a stacksextending? into' the passageway, escapement. members surrounding. saidpassageway, some of. said. members having ledges-for. engaging belowthe-flange of. the lowermost cup in a stack and others of said members;having ledgesvfor engaging below the" flange! ofathei next cup of thestack,- meansadapting said. members. for bodily oscillation:circumferentially relative to said passageway, means adapting saidmembers for radial movement relative to said passageway, and guide meanscontrolling the relative movement of said members for alternateprojection into said passageway of said lower cup engaging and next cupengaging ledges whereby to control the one-by-one escapement of cupsfrom the stack.

2. In a dispenser for flanged cups, a frame forming a verticalcylindrical passageway for delivery of cups from a stack, escapementmembers surrounding said passageway, means for imparting bodilyoscillation to said members in a direction circumferentially relative tosaid passageway, guide means defining radial movements for said membersduring bodily oscillation thereof, said movements cooperating to causeresultant movements of said members into engagement with the flanges ofthe cups of a stack for one-byone escape of cups from the stack.

3. In a dispenser for flanged cups, the combination of a frame providinga vertical cylindrical passageway for delivery of cups from a stack, anoscillatable support on said frame around said passageway, escapementmembers mounted on said support to move bodily therewith in directioncircumferentially relative to said passageway, said members beingadapted for radial movement on said support, means guiding the radialmovement of said members during bodily circume ferential movementthereof, and escapement ledges on said members for projection into saidpassageway for escapement engagement with the cups.

4. In adispensing device for flanged cups, a frame forming a verticalcylindrical passageway for delivery of cups from a stack, a first set ofescapement members cooperable with the bottom of the flange of thelowermost cup in a stack, a second set of escapement members cooperablewith the lower side of the flange of the next cup, means for impartingbodily circumferential movementand'; radial. movement. tcrzsaidimembersrelaetive to: said rpassa'gewamand' wedge: surfaces Qlll the membersaof;said; second; set;. said: wedge sin? faces extending.circumferentiallyfor'engagement: throughout tlieirextent: with theiuppen edge of: thelowermost: cup. to impart: wedging; and: rotational: movement:to=said;cup:for separationzthereof from:

theistacka-fter release: of: thercup fromntheescapwment members of; theflrstset'.

tion of ia fram'e forming a vertical cylindrical passageway for deliveryof cups from a; stack;- lowerescapement members for engagement belowthe" flange of the lowermost; cupt of". a stack, upper es capementmembers for engagement belovw the: flange of the next: cup' in the:stack, actuating meansfor. impartingbodily cireumiierentialnmovea mentof said'escapement membersirelative torsa'idi passageway, and guidemeans effective during; such bodily movement of; themembers-for causing,sequential radial movement of; the members for: the one-by-one,escapementof cupsfrom. a stacle.

6. In. a cup dispenser oft the.class-describedthe; combination of. lowerand upper escapement. members. cooperablerespectively with the. flanges.of the lowermostandnext cups of'a stack, actuating. means for impartingbodil'y oscillation tosaid members in a direction circumferenti'allyrelative to cups engaged thereby", a wedgesurfac'e ontheunderside ofeaclr of said: upper escapement mem bers extending along an arcto fitthe top-of the flange of the lowermost cup; guide means associatedwiththe lower escapement members oper able during oscillation of saidmembers to effect transverse movementof said members into and out ofposition below the lowermost cup flange, and guide means associated withsaid upper escapement members operable during oscillationof said membersto first effect transverse movement thereof for application of the wedgesurfaces against the upper edge of the lowermost cup and then lengthwisemovement of said surfaces in engagement with the cup edge to impartrotary movement to the cup.

'7. In a dispenser of the class described, an escapement mechanism fordelivering flanged cups singly from a stack, said mechanism including amember adapted to bodily move circumferentially relatively to the cupsbetween and in engagement with the flanges of adjacent cups, said memberhaving an inner edge substantially paralleling the, cup flanges and awedge surface to exert downward pressure against the lower cup duringcircumferential movement thereof for effecting separation of the cups. g

8. In a dispenser for nested cups made of paper or the like and eachhaving a flanged or beaded open end, a tubular member in which the stackis adapted to extend, movable means in said member for engaging theflanged end of the lowermost cup in the stack to support the stack ofcups, additional means in said member movable between the flanged endsof the two lowermost cups, as said first movable means is moved out ofengagement with the lowermost cup, for forcibly said member for'engaging the flanged end of the lowermost cup in the stack to supportthe stack of cups, additional and separate means in said member movablebetween the flanged ends of the two lowermost cups, as said firstmovable means is moved out of engagement with the lowermost cup forforcibly ejecting the lowermost cup, said latter means including awedge-like element movable circumferentiallyand progressively betwen theflanged ends of said lowermost cups whereby the lowermost cup is cammedoff the stack,.,and common actuating mechanism for said two means forretracting the former means while inwardly projecting the lattermeansand vice versa. 7 a q 10. In a dispenser for nested cups made ofpaper or the like and each, having a flanged or beaded open end, atubular member'in which the stack is adapted to extend, movable means insaid member for engagingthe flanged end of the lowermost cup in thestack to support the stack of cups, additional and separately mountedmeans in said member movable between the flanged ends of the twolowermost cups as said first movable means is moved out of engagementwith the lowermost cup, for forcibly ejecting the lowermost cup, 'said'latter means including a wedge-like element movable circumferentiallyand progressively between the flanged ends of said lowermost cupswhereby the lowermost cup is cammed off the stack, said wedge elementbeing formed fiat on its upper side to support the stack while itsunderside is progressively tapered to press; and" twist the lowermostcup ofi the stack of cups 11. In a dispenser of the character described,an escapement 'mechanism for delivering peripherally flanged cups from astack, said mechanism including a member shaped to extend between theflanges of adjacent cups of the stack and cause a separation of thelower cup from the upper when the member is moved, said member be-' ingbodily movable circumferentially relatively to the cups of said stack,and actuating means for said member. V

12. In a dispenser of the character described, an escapement membershaped to cause delivery of a cup from a stack when the member is moved,said escapement member being bodily movable circumferentially relativelyto the cups of the stack, actuating means for said member, and guidingmeans for guiding said member radially into and out of engagement withthe cups.

13. In a dispenser of the character described,

escapement mechanism for dispensing cups from.

